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St. Ives Suit Signals Potential Risk In Using Natural Microbead Alternatives

 
• By Lauren Nardella

If it’s successful, a class action against Unilever in California could pose a wider “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation for marketers of cosmetic cleansers. With plastic microbeads’ use in such products now banned in the US, companies are racing to replace the ingredients with natural exfoliants such as walnut shell powder, which the plaintiffs say is damaging to skin and unfit for use in St. Ives Apricot Scrub.

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A suit targeting St. Ives parent Unilever PLCcould open the door for waves of new litigation against cosmetic scrub marketers scrambling to replace banned plastic microbeads, or it may simply be the latest illustration of the plaintiffs bar’s creativity in pursuing cases against personal-care firms with deep pockets.

Filed Dec. 16 in California’s Central District Court, the complaint alleges that the crushed walnut shells in St....

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More from Legal

‘Off-Label’ Beauty Hacks: Navigating the Risks of Consumer-Driven Innovation

 
• By Rachel Raphael, Elizabeth Bresnahan and Kathryn Ignash

Guest authors Rachel Raphael, partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP and associates at the firm, Elizabeth Bresnahan and Kathryn Ignash, advise beauty companies on how to navigate the legal risks associated with consumers ‘off-label’ beauty hacks.

Supreme Court 1935 Ruling Limiting Executive Authority On Appointments ‘Unravels’ Today – DoJ

 
• By Malcolm Spicer

In complaint and response to motion to dismiss, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter’s and Alvaro Bedoya’s attorneys elaborate on Supreme Court ‘s 1935 decision, Humphrey’s Executor v. US. Administration attorneys, though, contend the ruling isn’t relevant to the current FTC.

Estee Lauder Faces Securities Fraud Suit After District Court Denies Motion To Dismiss

 
• By Eileen Francis

A federal judge in the Southern District of New York denied Estee Lauder’s motion to dismiss a securities fraud lawsuit filed by shareholders who said the company concealed its reliance on a gray market retail revenue stream, which ultimately caused sales and the stock price to plunge.

Uncertainty Abounds With SEC Climate Reporting Rule Tied Up In Courts

 
• By Lauren Nardella

Despite questions surrounding the SEC rule, including disputes being litigated in the US Eighth Circuit, companies must prepare to meet the new climate disclosure requirements in addition to related mandates in California and abroad. Experts emphasize opportunities beyond compliance.

More from Policy & Regulation

MoCRA Implementation Delay Creates More Legal Exposure For Stakeholders – Attorney

 
• By Eileen Francis

The delay in implementation of MoCRA is seen by many companies as a temporary reprieve, but it does create more legal uncertainty, says attorney Marissa Alkhazov of law firm Buchalter.

California Legislators Advance Bill To Ban Plastic Glitter, Abrasive Microbeads In Personal Care

 
• By Lauren Nardella

Lawmakers in California heeded calls from industry to change proposed legislation to avoid a wider ban on microplastics in personal care products.

EPR Alert! Unregistered Producers In Colorado No Longer Permitted To Sell 1 July

 
• By Eileen Francis

Packaging producers subject to Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility program that have not registered with the organization running the program will no longer be able to sell in the state starting 1 July.